Systems and methods for preventing and/or reducing corrosion in various types of tanks, containers and closed systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to, tanks (e.g., storage tanks, septic tanks, fuel tanks, etc.); containers (e.g., shipping containers, storage containers, etc.); semi-closed systems (e.g., fuel systems, septic systems, reservoirs, etc.); and/or closed systems (e.g., waste disposal systems, waste disposal drums or containers, etc.). In another embodiment, the methods of the present invention may be utilized to reduce and/or prevent corrosion in a variety of pipelines (e.g., gas/oil pipelines, water pipelines, sewage lines, etc.). More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to, metallic tanks; metallic containers; pipelines; semi-closed systems; and/or closed systems which are constructed partially or totally from metal. (e.g., steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, etc.).

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a divisional of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§120 to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/191,247, filed 08 Jul.2002, which in turn claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/308,750, filed on Jul. 30, 2001, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Preventing and/or Reducing Corrosion in Various Types of Tanks,Containers and Closed Systems”, both of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein described relates generally to systems, devices ormethods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in avariety of articles including, but not limited to, tanks (e.g., storagetanks, septic tanks, fuel tanks, etc.); containers (e.g., shippingcontainers, storage containers, etc.); semi-closed systems (e.g., fuelsystems, septic systems, reservoirs, etc.); and/or closed systems (e.g.,waste disposal systems, waste disposal drums or containers, etc.). Inanother embodiment, the devices and/or methods of the present inventionmay be utilized to reduce and/or prevent corrosion in a variety ofpipelines (e.g., gas/oil pipelines, water pipelines, sewage lines,etc.). More specifically, the present invention relates to systems,devices or methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence ofcorrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to,metallic tanks; metallic containers; pipelines; semi- closed systems;and/or closed systems which are constructed partially or totally frommetal (e.g., steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, etc.).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In commerce and industry today, the useful life of corrodible items maybe extended and/or preserved by providing corrosion inhibitors whichprotect the corrodible item from the adverse effects of its ambientenvironment. Among the common indications of corrosion manifested inuseful metallic articles are oxidation, pitting, tarnishing, mottling ordiscoloration of the surfaces of these items. These manifestations occurin metallic articles, particularly when exposed to oxygen, water orother corrosive environments, in either gaseous or liquid phase.Additionally, sulfides and/or chlorides (or chlorine) may causecorrosion or tarnishing problems as well. In as much as both oxygen andwater, including water vapor, occur normally and are available innature, it is normally necessary to take precautions against corrosionin a variety of metallic based containers, shippers, storage tanks,tanker ships, gas tanks, septic systems (including the tank), etc.Metals which are frequently found to be susceptible to corrosion undernormal atmospheric and ambient conditions include, but are not limitedto, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, silver, and alloys of these metals.

In view of the widespread need for protecting various metallic basedtanks, containers, semi-closed systems, and/or closed systems fromcorrosion, a variety of systems have been utilized. Such anti-corrosionsystems often employ one or more of the following as components orsub-components thereof: (1) a cathodic protection system; (2) a linersystem which coats the inside of the tank, container and/or closedsystem and/or (3) an inert atmosphere.

Such methods, although effective, are not suitable for all tanks,containers, pipelines and/or closed systems which may need to beprotected. Additionally, such methods have service lives which are notsuitable for applications in which a long service life is necessary, forexample, the use of cathodic systems to protect the cargo tanks of oceanliners which carry petroleum products. Furthermore, the replenishment ofcertain currently used systems, such as cathodic systems, is bothexpensive and difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein described relates generally to systems, devices ormethods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in avariety of articles including, but not limited to, tanks (e.g., storagetanks, septic tanks, fuel tanks, etc.); containers (e.g., shippingcontainers, storage containers, etc.); semi-closed systems (e.g., fuelsystems, septic systems, reservoirs, etc.); and/or closed systems (e.g.,waste disposal systems, waste disposal drums or containers, etc.). Inanother embodiment, the devices and/or methods of the present inventionmay be utilized to reduce and/or prevent corrosion in a variety ofpipelines (e.g., gas/oil pipelines, water pipelines, sewage lines,etc.). More specifically, the present invention relates to systems,devices or methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence ofcorrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to,metallic tanks; metallic containers; pipelines; semi-closed systems;and/or closed systems which are constructed partially or totally frommetal (e.g., steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, etc.).

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a corrosion inhibitingdevice comprising: a capsule having at least one sealable enclosuretherein; at least one corrosion inhibitor, wherein the at least onecorrosion inhibitor is contained in the sealable enclosure; and at leastone means for delivering the at least one corrosion inhibitor from theat least one sealable enclosure of the capsule to an outsideenvironment, wherein the capsule is formed from a non-degradablematerial.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a corrosioninhibiting device comprising: a capsule having at least one sealableenclosure therein, wherein the capsule is formed from a non-degradablematerial; at least one degradable layer which contains therein at leastone corrosion inhibitor which is formed within the at least one sealableenclosure of the capsule; and at least one degradable layer whichcontains no corrosion inhibitor which is formed within the at least onesealable enclosure of the capsule, wherein the at least one degradablelayer which contains at least one corrosion inhibitor and the at leastone degradable layer which contains no corrosion inhibitor are formed inalternating layers with the proviso that at least one degradable layerwhich contains no corrosion inhibitor is the outer most layer within theat least one sealable enclosure of the capsule.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a corrosioninhibiting device comprises: a capsule having at least two discretedegradable polymer layers, wherein at least one degradable layercontains therein at least one corrosion inhibitor and at least onedegradable layer contains therein no corrosion inhibitor, wherein the atleast one degradable layer which contains therein at least one corrosioninhibitor and the at least one degradable layer which contains thereinno corrosion inhibitor are formed in an alternating manner.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method forprotecting a tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closedsystem comprises the step of: placing a suitable corrosion inhibitingdevice within the interior of the tank, container, pipeline, semi-closedsystem or closed system.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method forprotecting a tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closedsystem comprises the steps of: (A) placing a corrosion inhibiting deviceinto the interior of a tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system orclosed system, wherein the corrosion inhibiting device comprises: acapsule having at least one sealable enclosure therein; at least onecorrosion inhibitor, wherein the at least one corrosion inhibitor iscontained in the sealable enclosure; and at least one means fordelivering the at least one corrosion inhibitor from the at least onesealable enclosure of the capsule to an outside environment, wherein thecapsule is formed from a non-degradable material; and (B) closing orsealing the tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closedsystem.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a corrosioninhibiting device comprises: a shell; and a VCI-containing foam (i.e.,volatile or vapor phase corrosion inhibitor-containing foam) which iscontained within the shell, wherein the VCI-containing foam has formedtherein at least one hole so as to increase the surface area of theVCI-containing foam.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. These embodiments areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantagesand features of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a number of devices according to numerous embodimentsof the present invention which have been placed into a tank in order toprovide increased corrosion protection;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views which illustrate one type of acorrosion protection system/device for tanks, containers, pipelines,semi-closed systems, and/or closed systems according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views which illustrate another typeof a corrosion protection system/device for tanks, containers,pipelines, semi-closed systems, and/or closed systems according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4C′ and 4D are cross-sectional views which illustratefour different embodiments of another type of a corrosion protectionsystem/device for tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems,and/or closed systems according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E are cross-sectional views which illustratefive different embodiments of still another type of a corrosionprotection system/device for tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closedsystems, and/or closed systems according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are cross-sectional views which illustrate threedifferent embodiments of still another type of a corrosion protectionsystem/device for tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems,and/or closed systems according to the present invention;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are cross-sectional views which illustrate threedifferent embodiments of still another type of a corrosion protectionsystem/device for tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems,and/or closed systems according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are cross-sectional views which illustrate threedifferent embodiments of still another type of a corrosion protectionsystem/device for tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems,and/or closed systems according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view which illustrates an embodiment ofstill another type of a corrosion protection system/device for tanks,containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems, and/or closed systemsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view which illustrates an embodiment ofstill another type of a corrosion protection system/device for tanks,containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems, and/or closed systemsaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views which illustrate twodifferent embodiments of still another type of a corrosion protectionsystem/device for tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems,and/or closed systems according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional and top views, respectively, whichillustrates still another type of a corrosion protection system/devicefor tanks, containers, pipelines, semi-closed systems, and/or closedsystems according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein described relates generally to systems, devices ormethods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in avariety of articles including, but not limited to, tanks (e.g., storagetanks, septic tanks, fuel tanks, etc.); containers (e.g., shippingcontainers, storage containers, etc.); semi-closed systems (e.g., fuelsystems, septic systems, reservoirs, etc.); and/or closed systems (e.g.,waste disposal systems, waste disposal drums or containers, etc.). Inanother embodiment, the devices and/or methods of the present inventionmay be utilized to reduce and/or prevent corrosion in a variety ofpipelines (e.g., gas/oil pipelines, water pipelines, sewage lines,etc.). More specifically, the present invention relates to systems,devices or methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence ofcorrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to,metallic tanks; metallic containers; pipelines; semi-closed systems;and/or closed systems which are constructed partially or totally frommetal (e.g., steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, etc.).

As used throughout the text and claims, a semi-closed system means asystem which is opened periodically to replenish, fill or depositsomething therein (e.g., a fuel tank). As used throughout the text andclaims, corrosion inhibitor means any compound, whether volatile or not,which inhibits at least one form of corrosion or degradation fromoccurring on an object to be protected. As used throughout the text andclaims, volatile or vapor phase corrosion inhibitor means that thevolatile/vapor phase corrosion inhibitor is transferred to the surfaceof the item/article/surface to be protected by condensation of thevolatile/vapor phase corrosion inhibitor's vapor on the surface of theitem/article/surface to be protected.

As used throughout the text and claims, a sealable enclosure means anyenclosure which can be sealed by any suitable means so as to maintain ahigh concentration of one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds remotefrom an exterior environment until the release of the one or morecorrosion inhibiting compounds into the exterior environment to thesealable enclosure is desired. Additionally, it should be noted that inthe following text, range and/or ratio limits may be combined.

The present invention relates to devices or capsules which can be placedin tanks; containers; pipelines, semi-closed systems; and/or closedsystems which are constructed partially or totally from metal. Thedevices of the present invention are in general closed packages orcapsules which contain therein one or more corrosion inhibitors (be theyvolatile or otherwise) or a corrosion inhibiting film and areconstructed from any suitable material, such as metal (e.g., stainlesssteel, aluminum, etc.) or a suitable polymeric material (e.g.,polyolefin polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers, vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers andpolyvinyl chloride). In another embodiment, the devices of the presentinvention contain one or more layers of corrosion inhibiting filmsinterspersed with layers of polymer films which contain no corrosioninhibitor.

Any suitable corrosion inhibitor can be used in the present invention.U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,290,912; 5,320,778; and 5,855,975 disclose vapor phaseor volatile corrosion inhibitors and are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety for their teachings of such compounds. Forexample, useful vapor phase or volatile corrosion inhibitors include,but are not limited to, benzotriazole, and mixtures of benzoates ofamine salts with benzotriazole, nitrates of amine salts, and C₁₃H₂₆O₂N.

In another embodiment, non-volatile corrosion inhibitors can be utilizedin the present invention. Examples of such compounds include, but arenot limited to, phosphonates, phosphates, borates, chromates, molybdates(e.g., anhydrous sodium molybdate and mixtures of such molybdates withsodium nitrite) and silicates. When a non-volatile corrosion inhibitoris employed in the present invention, the solubility of the one or morenon-volatile corrosion inhibitors in water may not be of greatimportance in the selection thereof.

In still another embodiment, the present invention can employ acombination of one or more volatile corrosion inhibitors with one ormore non-volatile corrosion inhibitors.

The devices of the present invention can be used to protect against awide variety of corrosive compounds and/or atmospheres. Suchcompounds/atmospheres include, but are not limited to, water (eitherliquid or vapor phase), oxygen, sulfides, chlorides, NO_(X) or chlorine.

The devices of the present invention can be placed in any desired tank,container, pipelines, semi-closed system or closed system in a varietyof manners. In one embodiment, the devices of the present invention areplaced within the desired enclosure prior to filling the enclosure withthe substance to be stored therein (e.g., gas, oil, water, etc.). Insuch an embodiment, the devices of the present invention can be freefloating (i.e., able to move freely about the inside of the tank due toa neutral buoyancy), have a positive buoyancy so as to float at the topof the desired enclosure or have a negative buoyancy so as to sinkeither partially or completely to the bottom of the tank.

In another embodiment, the devices of the present invention can beattached by any suitable means to the bottom (or interior surface) ofthe desired enclosure/article to be protected. Such attachment meansinclude, but are not limited to, bolts, screws, rivets, chemicalattachment means (e.g., glue, epoxy, etc.) or magnets. In anotherembodiment, if the devices of the present invention are formed eithercompletely or partially from metal and the place where the devices areto be placed is suitable, the devices of the present invention can bewelded into place. For example, in oil tankers a device according to thepresent invention could be attached to the bottom of the hull of theship within the cargo compartments. This would permit the devices of thepresent invention to remain at the bottom to counteract any waterpresent at the bottom of the cargo compartments.

In one embodiment, the attachment means is a magnet. A magneticattachment means is advantageous in that it facilitates easy replacementof the devices of the present invention should the corrosion inhibitingportion thereof become exhausted.

In yet another embodiment, the devices of the present invention areincorporated into the cover and/or cap of the tank, container,pipelines, semi-closed system or closed system in which corrosionprotection is desired. For example, in a vehicle fuel system, a deviceaccording to the present invention can be placed in the fuel tank cap.

The devices of the present invention permit the release of one or morecorrosion inhibitors into a desired environment over an extended periodof time. Accordingly, the devices of the present invention do not have aset life expectancy. For example, the devices of the present inventioncould be designed to last any where from about 1 month to about 10years. In another embodiment, the life expectancy of the devices of thepresent invention is from about 6 months to about 5 years, of about 1year to about 3 years. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art, upon reading the present specification, that the devicesaccording to the present invention could be produced with an infiniterange of life expectancies. As such, the present invention is notlimited to the above life expectancies. Rather, one of ordinary skill inthe art would, upon reading the present specification and taking intoconsideration the environment in which the device will be placed, beable to design a device according to the present invention with anydesired life expectancy.

The devices of the present invention deliver corrosion inhibitor to theenvironment in which they are placed by any suitable delivery means.Such delivery means include, but are not limited to, one way diaphragms,two way diaphragms, semi-permeable membranes, valves (e.g., pressuresensitive valves, electronic valves, etc.) which allow the passage ofcorrosion inhibitor out of the device but prevent the inflow of theliquid or vapor phase environment which surrounds the device, adecomposable metal or polymeric plug or a decomposable corrosioninhibitor impregnated polymer film. In another embodiment, if anelectronic valve is incorporated into the devices according to thepresent invention, the electronic valve can be constructed so as torelease corrosion inhibitor at regular intervals and/or in regularamounts. For example, an electronic valve could be set to releasecorrosion inhibitor from a device according to the present inventiononce every day, week, month or year. Alternatively, an electronic valvecould be set to release corrosion inhibitor every other day, week, monthor year. It should be noted, that the present invention is not limitedto any one interval scheme. Rather, if incorporated in the devicesaccording to the present invention, an electronic valve can be set todispense corrosion inhibitor at any given regular or irregular interval.

In another embodiment, the devices according to the present inventioncan contain therein a sensor for detecting the concentration of variouscorrosive environments. In response to a certain threshold pressure orconcentration of corrosive gas, corrosive liquid, corrosive ions, etc.,the sensor instructs the electronic valve to release corrosion inhibitorfor a certain amount of time. In another embodiment, the electronicvalve is equipped with a flow meter and can dispense any desired amountof corrosion inhibitor (be it liquid or gas). Such an electronic valveis useful in situations where a known amount of corrosive materialcollects (or forms) over a given period of time.

In yet another embodiment, the devices according to the presentinvention can incorporate therein dissolvable or degradable plugs whichdissolve or degrade in the presence of one or more corrosive elementsover time or dissolve or degrade in a given environment. For example, apolymeric plug which is soluble in water could be used in the cargocompartment of an oil tanker. Thus, the presence of water would dissolvethe plug and release corrosion inhibitor into the oil to prevent thewater present from damaging the storage tank or oil compartment of atanker ship. In another embodiment, the degradable plug could be made ofa metal which breaks down quickly in the presence of oxygen (e.g.,magnesium).

The present invention will now be described in relationship to specificembodiments as shown in the attached Figures. It should be noted thatthe present invention is not only limited to those embodiments shown inthe attached Figures. Rather, the present invention should be broadlyconstrued. In the Figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a general depiction of the present invention isshown. As shown in FIG. 1, a double walled tank 2 has placed inside(represented by reference numerals 4 a and/or 4 b) therein one or moredevices according to the present invention. The tank further includes ahatch, cap, cover or lid 2 c. In one embodiment, the devices of thepresent invention can be secured to any portion of the interior wall ofthe tank (e.g., a side wall, the top or the bottom) by any suitablemeans (e.g., epoxy, welding, rivets, screws, bolts, magnets, etc.)(device 4 a of FIG. 1). In another embodiment, the devices of thepresent invention can be permitted to float within the confines of tank2 (device 4 b of FIG. 1). In still another embodiment, the devices ofthe present invention can be designed so as to reside within the lid,cap, cover or hatch of the tank 2 (device 4 c of FIG. 1). In yet anotherembodiment, any combination of secured devices 4 a, free floatingdevices 4 b and cap devices 4 c can be utilized in tank 2.

As will be apparent from the following discussion, devices 4 a, 4 band/or 4 c can be selected, as needed, from any one or more of devices200, 300, 400, 400 a, 400 b, 400 c, 500 a, 500 a′, 500 b, 500 c, 500 d,600 a, 600 b, 600 c, 700 a, 700 b, 700 c, 800 a, 800 b, 800 c, 900,1000, 1100 a, 1100 b and/or 1200 of the present invention as discussedbelow in connection with the various Figures. In yet another embodiment,a device according to the present invention can actually be a tank lid,cap, cover or hatch which contains therein at least one corrosioninhibitor and a delivery means. It should be noted that the presentinvention is not limited to just these embodiments, rather features fromdifferent embodiments can be combined to yield additional embodimentswhich, although not depicted, are within the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, device 200 includes a capsule 202 formed from anysuitable material. In one embodiment, capsule 202 is formed from anysuitable non-degradable or corrosion resistant metal (e.g., stainlesssteel, aluminum, etc.). In another embodiment, capsule 202 is formedfrom a suitable non-degradable polymer composition (e.g., a polyolefinpolymer). Although depicted as rectangular, capsule device 200 can bemade in any shape (e.g., spherical, square, pyramidal, etc.). The insideof capsule 202 includes one or more suitable corrosion inhibitor 204which is selected based upon the corrosive element or compound to beneutralized and a dispensing column 206. Corrosion inhibitor 204 flowsinto dispensing column 206 through one or more holes 206 a therein.Alternatively, dispensing column 206 could be a wick, a semi-permeablemembrane column or a column formed from any suitable material (such asmetal or plastic) which contains therein one or more valves which permitthe controlled escape of corrosion inhibitor 204 into the interior ofthe dispensing column 206. Additionally, device 200 includes a sealingmember 208 and a cover 210. The cover 210 of device 200 is movable so asto allow the corrosion inhibitor 204 contained within the compartment ofcapsule 204 to escape from device 200 to the environment outside device200. The escape path of the corrosion inhibitor is represented by thearrows in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2A, the corrosion inhibitor escapesfrom cover 210 through suitable holes or openings formed therein(represented by the dashed lines in tracks 212 a and 212 b).

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, cover 210 is mounted in tracks212 a and 212 b so as to be slidable therein. In such a case, cover 210can be moved from the closed position depicted in FIG. 2A to an openposition depicted in FIG. 2B by applying a force to cover 210 in adirection away from the main body of device 200. This in turn opens theend of dispensing column 206 by moving sealing member 208 away from theend of dispensing column 206 and allows corrosion inhibitor 204 toescape from the inside of capsule 202 through any suitable escape means(e.g., holes, valves, etc.) in cover 210 and/or tracks 212 a and 212 b.In one embodiment, cover 210 can either be moved manually (i.e., byhand) prior to the placement of device 200 into the desired tank,container, pipeline, semi-closed system, and/or closed system or movedautomatically by, for example, a piston (not pictured). If cover 210 isto be controlled automatically, device 200 can contain a suitablecontrol mechanism (not pictured) which controls the intervals duringwhich cover 210 is in the open position. If controlled automatically,device 200 can be set to release corrosion inhibitor 204 at any desiredinterval, be such intervals regular or otherwise.

In another embodiment, cover 210 is a cap which is attached to the mainbody of device 200 via threads (not pictured). In this embodiment, cover210 is rotated in either the counter-clockwise or clockwise direction soas to loosen the cover 210 and move sealing member 208 away from the endof dispensing column 206 can either be moved manually (i.e., by hand)prior to the placement of device 200 into the desired tank, container,pipeline, semi-closed system, and/or closed system. Once open, corrosioninhibitor 204 is free to flow out of the device 200 through any suitableopening formed in the cover 210 and/or tracks 212 a and 212 b which areformed therein just above the level of sealing member 208 as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, corrosion inhibitor204 flows out opening 214 after cover 210 and sealing member 208 havebeen moved away from the end of dispensing column 206.

As is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a device 300, which is similar to device200 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, includes a capsule 302 formed from anysuitable material, one or more corrosion inhibitors 304, a dispensingcolumn 306, and a sealing member 308. In one embodiment, capsule 302 isformed from any suitable non-degradable or corrosion resistant metal(e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In another embodiment, capsule302 is formed from a suitable non-degradable polymer composition (e.g.,a polyolefin polymer). Although depicted as rectangular, capsule device300 can be made in any shape (e.g., spherical, square, pyramidal, etc.).The inside of capsule 302 includes a suitable corrosion inhibitor 304which is selected based upon the corrosive element or compound to beneutralized and a dispensing column 306. Corrosion inhibitor 304 flowsinto dispensing column 306 through one or more holes 306 a therein.Alternatively, dispensing column 306 could be a wick, a semi-permeablemembrane column or a column formed from any suitable material (such asmetal or plastic) which contains therein one or more valves which permitthe controlled escape of corrosion inhibitor 304 into the interior ofthe dispensing column 306.

In this embodiment, the capsule 302 is placed within a double-walledouter capsule 316. Outer capsule 316 encases capsule 302 and isconstructed to be slightly larger than capsule 302 in at least onedimension so that capsule 302 has freedom to move while encased therein.Furthermore, outer capsule 316 is constructed in such a manner thatcapsule 316 has two walls 316 a and 316 b which are spaced apart toyield a suitably sized gap 318. The size of the gap 318 between walls316 a and 316 b is not critical so long as the gap is large enough toallow the desired amount of corrosion inhibitor 304 to exit the device300 when the device is opened.

In one embodiment, device 300 is maintained in a closed state byactuators 320 a and 320 b. When actuators 320 a and 320 b are in theirclosed states (e.g., in a down position), the actuators exert asufficient pressure on capsule 302 to force the end of dispensing column306 into sealing member 308. Once actuators 320 a and 320 b have beenmoved, either manually or automatically, into an open state (e.g., bypulling the actuators up), capsule 302 rises within the outer capsule316 thereby allowing corrosion inhibitor 304 to escape from the end ofdispensing column 306 into opening 322 (FIG. 3B). In one embodiment,capsule 302 rises once actuators 320 a and 320 b have been moved totheir open state due to positive buoyancy.

Once actuators 320 a and 320 b have been opened corrosion inhibitor 304can flow through one or more openings, valves or diaphragms 324 a and324 b in wall 316 b of outer capsule 316 and into gap 318. Once insideof gap 318, the corrosion inhibitor 304 is permitted to escape fromcapsule 316 through any suitable opening therein. In one embodiment,corrosion inhibitor 304 escapes from outer capsule 316 through suitablevalves 326 a and 326 b. In one embodiment, valves 326 a and 326 b areone way valves. This escape route for corrosion inhibitor 304 is shownby the arrows in gap 318 and opening 322. In another embodiment,corrosion inhibitor 304 can escape from outer capsule 316 through one ormore openings formed in wall 316 a of outer capsule 316 (not shown).

In another embodiment, device 200 or device 300 may further include asuitable means (e.g., a valve or a diaphragm) for replenishing thecorrosion inhibitor 204/304 contained within capsule 202/302 (notshown).

Turning to FIGS. 4A to 4D, FIG. 4A depicts a device 400 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Device 400 includes acapsule 402 formed from any suitable non-degradable and/or corrosionresistant material. In one embodiment, capsule 402 is formed from anysuitable metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In anotherembodiment, capsule 402 is formed from a suitable non-degradable polymercomposition (e.g., a polyolefin polymer). The inside of capsule 402includes one or more suitable corrosion inhibitor 404 which is selectedbased upon the corrosive element or compound to be neutralized. Capsule402 has therein one or more openings 406 which are sealed with adegradable plug or cap 408. Upon exposure to a corrosive environment orcorrosive element in an environment, the one or more degradable plugs orcaps 408 degrade to allow the corrosion inhibitor 404 contained indevice 400 to exit capsule 404 and neutralize the one or more corrosiveelements that may exist outside device 400.

In one embodiment, each degradable plug or cap 408 is independentlyformed from any suitable material, such as a bio-degradable polymercomposition, a polymer composition which is soluble in a givenenvironment (e.g., a water soluble or oil soluble polymer) or a metalmaterial which degrades or corrodes when exposed to a specific chemicalcompound (e.g., magnesium metal which reacts in the presence of oxygen).Upon exposure to a suitable element and/or environment, degradable plugor cap 408 degrades thereby allowing corrosion inhibitor 404 to escapethrough opening 406. It will be appreciated by those of skill in theart, that degradable plug or cap 408 can be designed so as to resist acertain amount of degradation prior to permitting the corrosioninhibitor contained in device 400 from escaping. That is, degradableplug or cap 408 may be designed so as to retain integrity (i.e., to notpermit the escape of any amount of corrosion inhibitor contained in thedevice) for any desired period of time. In one embodiment, degradableplug or cap 408 is designed to retain integrity for about 1 hour toabout 1 month, or from about 10 hours to about 2 weeks, or even fromabout 2 days to about 1 week.

Referring to FIG. 4B, FIG. 4B depicts one variation of device 400 ofFIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4B, device 400 a, which is similar to device400 shown in FIG. 4A, includes a capsule 402 formed from any suitablematerial, at least one corrosion inhibitor 404, an opening 406, and aplug or cap 408 a. In this embodiment, plug or cap 408 a may be formedfrom any suitable degradable or non-degradable material (e.g., anon-degradable polymer or suitable metal such as aluminum or stainlesssteel). If plug or cap 408 a is formed from a non-degradable material,opening 406 can serve as a means by which to fill capsule 402 withcorrosion inhibitor 404 with the dashed line 406 a in FIG. 4Brepresenting a diaphragm valve through which corrosion inhibitor 404 canbe deposited into capsule 402 by using, for example, a syringe.Alternatively, the opening in capsule 402 represented by dashed line 406a need not be present.

Device 400 a further includes one or more openings 410 (two are picturedin FIG. 4B) in capsule 402. Each opening 410 is sealed with a suitablevalve 412 (for example, a one-way or two-way diaphragm valve). Adegradable cover 414 is placed over each valve 412 to prevent theundesired or untimely escape of corrosion inhibitor 404 from capsule402. The composition of degradable cover 414 is similar in nature tothat of degradable plug or cap 408. As such, further discussion ishereby omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4C and 4C′, a device 400 b is depicted which includesa capsule 402 formed from any suitable material, at least one corrosioninhibitor 404, an opening 406, and a plug or cap 408 a. In thisembodiment, plug or cap 408 a may be formed from any suitable degradableor non-degradable material (e.g., a non-degradable polymer or suitablemetal such as aluminum or stainless steel). Device 400 b furtherincludes one or more openings 420 which contained therein a sealable oneway vent or valve 422. When in the open position (FIG. 4C′), the one wayvent or valve 422 allows corrosion inhibitor 404 to escape from capsule402 into the surrounding environment (i.e., the inside of a tank,container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system). Dependingupon the environment in which device 400 b is placed, the one way ventor valve 422 can either be manually or automatically controlled. Suchautomatic venting systems and valves are known in the art and adiscussion thereof is omitted.

In another embodiment, the degradable plug or cap 408 of device 400 ofFIG. 4A can be replaced by a diaphragm valve 430 which can beconstructed so that the diaphragm valve 430 can be opened and closedeither manually or automatically (see FIG. 4D). In one embodiment,device 400 can be sized accordingly to fit into the top portion of a gastank cap, tank or container lid, or a hatch (see device 400 c of FIG.4D). In this case, the release of corrosion inhibitor 404 into theenclosed environment inside the tank, container, pipeline, semi-closedsystem or closed system can be controlled manually from outside of thetank, container, semi-closed system or closed system. For example, in agas tank cap, capsule 402 of device 400 c is placed into the top portionof the cap and a vent 432 is formed through the shank 434 (be itthreaded or otherwise) of the gas cap in order to permit corrosioninhibitor 404 to escape from device 400 c into the gas tank as needed oron a timed basis.

In general the devices described above with reference to FIGS. 2A to 4Dare intended to be placed inside of a tank, container, pipeline,semi-closed system or closed system. Alternatively, such devices can bedesigned to fit into, if present, the lid, cover and/or hatch of anytank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system. Any ofthese devices can further be attached permanently or semi-permanently tothe inside of a tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closedsystem via any suitable means (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts, welded,etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, devices 500 a and 500 a′ are shown. InFIG. 5A, device 500 a is formed from any suitable degradable material,as described above, which has been formed into a capsule 502 whichcontains at least one corrosion inhibitor 504. The corrosion inhibitor504 may also contain other corrosion inhibitor, such as an inert gas(e.g., helium). In another embodiment, capsule 502 can contain only aninert gas rather than the combination of inert gas and corrosioninhibitor 504.

Given the intended use, capsule 502 may be of any shape or size asrequired. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, capsule 502 may be elliptical orrectangular in shape, respectively. In the case where capsule 502 isformed from a degradable polymeric composition, the capsule 502 may beformed by any suitable technique including, but not limited to,extrusion, coextrusion, blow molding, casting or injection molding. Inone embodiment, the capsule 502 can be formed from polymeric films whichare joined through any suitable technique (e.g., heat sealed) to formthe desired shape. In the case where capsule 502 is formed from adegradable metal (or a metal which corrodes easily), the capsule 502 maybe formed by any suitable technique including, but not limited to,casting or injection molding.

Upon being exposed to a corrosive environment or element in a tank,container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system, capsule 502undergoes degradation over time and releases into the environmentcorrosion inhibitor 504. As noted above, devices 500 a and 500 a′ can bedesigned so as to retain their initial integrity over any given periodof time. In another embodiment, devices 500 a and 500 a′ further includea magnet (not pictured) for securing the device to any desired magneticsurface (e.g., the interior hull of the cargo compartment of an oiltanker).

Referring to FIGS. 5C and 5D, FIGS. 5C and 5D depict two possiblevariations of devices 500 a and 500 a′ . As shown in FIG. 5C, device 500b, which is similar to device 500 a shown in FIG. 5A, includes a capsule502 formed from any suitable material, at least one corrosion inhibitor504, and a magnet 506. In this case, device 500 b also includes adiaphragm valve 508 which permits corrosion inhibitor 504 to escape fromcapsule 502 into the surrounding environment. In one embodiment,diaphragm valve 508 permits the controlled release of corrosioninhibitor 504 during the time in which it takes capsule 502 to lose itsintegrity and release the remaining corrosion inhibitor 504. The magnet506 can either be placed inside of capsule 502 (see FIG. 5B) or can beplaced within the wall of capsule 502 (not shown). If the magnet 506 isplaced inside of capsule 502, it is kept in place along the wall ofcapsule 502 by any suitable means (e.g., glue, epoxy, welding, etc.).

In another embodiment, capsule 502 can be formed from a non-degradablematerial and retain its structural integrity for any extended period oftime (i.e., for more than 1 month). In one embodiment, capsule 502 canretain its structural integrity for about 1 month to about 25 years, orfrom about 6 months to about 10 years, or even from about 1 year toabout 5 years. In this instance, diaphragm valve 508 can be any suitablevalve which can be used to release corrosion inhibitor 504 on regularintervals or on an as needed basis. In still another embodiment, valve508 can be used to replenish the corrosion inhibitor contained withincapsule 502 once capsule 502 has become depleted. In such a case, a twoway valve or a self-sealing diaphragm can be utilized for valve 508.

Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 5D, if capsule 502 is formed from anon-degradable material, two or more valves can be included therein. Insuch a case at least one diaphragm valve 508 discharges, as desired,corrosion inhibitor 504 into the surrounding environment, and at leastone valve 510 can be utilized to replenish the corrosion inhibitor 504within capsule 502 once it has been expended.

Referring to FIG. 5E, FIG. 5E depicts another possible variation ofdevices 500 a, 500 a′ , 500 b and 500 c. As shown in FIG. 5E, device 500d, which is similar to device 500 a shown in FIG. 5A, includes a capsule502 formed from any suitable material and at least one corrosioninhibitor 504. In this case, device 500 d also includes a one way nipplevalve 520 which permits corrosion inhibitor 504 to escape from capsule502 into the surrounding environment when certain pressure criteria aremet. For instance when the pressure outside (P_(o)) capsule 502 is lessthan or equal to the pressure within (P_(i)) capsule 502, then the oneway nipple valve 520 is actuated and releases corrosion inhibitor 504.Conversely, when the pressure outside (P_(o)) capsule 502 is greaterthan the pressure within (P_(i)) capsule 502, then the one way nipplevalve 520 remain sealed and corrosion inhibitor is not released into thesurrounding environment. Device 500 d is useful in situations where thecost of the delivery system for the corrosion inhibitor 504 is to bekept at a minimum since device 500 d functions due to a difference inexterior versus interior pressure. In FIG. 5D, one way nipple valve 520is shown in the open state.

Referring to FIG. 6A, device 600 a is shown. Device 600 a includes acapsule 602 formed from any suitable non-degradable and/or corrosionresistant material. In one embodiment, capsule 602 is formed from anysuitable metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In anotherembodiment, capsule 602 is formed from a suitable non-degradable polymercomposition (e.g., a polyolefin polymer). The inside of capsule 602includes at least one suitable corrosion inhibitor 604 which is selectedbased upon the corrosive element or compound to be neutralized. Capsule602 has therein one or more degradable plugs 606 (two plugs are shown).Degradable plugs 606 can be formed from a degradable polymer compositionor, alternatively, a metallic composition (e.g., magnesium, zinc oraluminum) which will degrade or react upon exposure to a given corrosiveelement or environment. Such degradation or reaction creates one or moreopenings 608 through which corrosion inhibitor 606 can escape fromcapsule 602. The choice of the composition used for plugs 606 dependsupon the corrosive element or environment in which device 600 a is to beutilized. In another embodiment, device 600 a can further include avalve 610 which can be used to replenish the corrosion inhibitor 604contained within capsule 602. Such a device is, for example, depicted inFIG. 6B.

Referring to FIG. 6B, FIG. 6B depicts a device 600 b which is similar innature to device 600 a of FIG. 6A except for the inclusion of valve 610.Device 600 b can be reused by replacing degradable plugs 606 and thenutilizing valve 610 to refill capsule 602 with corrosion inhibitor 604.In still another embodiment, device 600 b further includes a diaphragmvalve 612 which can be used to release, on a controlled basis, corrosioninhibitor 604 prior to degradation of degradable plugs 606. Such adevice is, for example, depicted in FIG. 6C.

FIG. 6C depicts a device 600 c which is similar in nature to device 600b of FIG. 6B except for the inclusion of diaphragm valve 612. In yetanother embodiment, an optional magnet 614 can be placed within thestructure of capsule 602 (or even inside capsule 602). In yet anotherembodiment, device 600 c can just include diaphragm valve 612 and notvalve 610.

Referring to FIG. 7A, device 700 a is shown. Device 700 a includes acapsule 702 formed from any suitable non-degradable and/or corrosionresistant material. In one embodiment, capsule 702 is formed from anysuitable metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In anotherembodiment, capsule 702 is formed from a suitable non-degradable polymercomposition (e.g., a polyolefin polymer). Device 700 a further includesalternating layers of degradable polymer 704 which contain at least onecorrosion inhibitor therein; layers of degradable polymer 706 whichcontains no corrosion inhibitor therein, and a cover 710 which protectsthe layers of degradable polymer from degradation until device 700 a isput into use.

The layers 704 and 706 can be any suitable thickness and can be arrangedin any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the upper most layer is adegradable polymer layer 706 which contains no corrosion inhibitortherein.

Device 700 a can optionally include a porous or semi-permeable membrane708 which permits at least the corrosion inhibitor which is containedwithin the one or more degradable polymer layers 704 to escape from theinterior of capsule 702.

Once the cover 710 is removed from device 700 a and the device is placedinside of a desired tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system orclosed system, a corrosive element or environment which exists in thetank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system (oroccurs over time) causes the degradation of the first layer ofdegradable polymer 706 which contain no corrosion inhibitor. After thefirst layer 706 degrades to such a point, the first layer of degradablepolymer 704 which contains at least one corrosion inhibitor begins todegrade and release corrosion inhibitor from device 700 a into thesurrounding environment.

Referring to FIG. 7B, device 700 b is shown. Device 700 b includes twoor more capsules 702 (four are shown) formed from any suitablenon-degradable and/or corrosion resistant material. In one embodiment,capsules 702 are formed from any suitable metal (e.g., stainless steel,aluminum, etc.). In another embodiment, capsules 702 are formed from asuitable non-degradable polymer composition (e.g., a polyolefinpolymer). In one embodiment, capsules 702 are connected together andshare at least one common wall. Each of capsules 702 contain at leastone corrosion inhibitor 704 and at least one degradable plug or cap 720.The degradable plug or cap 720 may further have thereover a degradablefilm 722 and may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., adegradable polymer).

In one embodiment, degradable plug or cap 720 degrades in the presenceof a different compound than that of degradable film 722. For example,degradable plug or cap 720 can be designed to degrade in water, whiledegradable film 722 can be designed to degrade in oil or vice versa.Furthermore, device 700 b may optionally include at least one valve 724(e.g., a diaphragm or nipple valve) in one or more of the capsules 702.FIG. 7B includes therein an optional nipple valve 724 in each capsule702.

Device 700 b functions in a similar manner to that of device 700 a,except for the fact that only degradable plugs or caps 720 anddegradable films 722 degrade in the presence of one or more desiredcompounds. Additionally, valve 724 can be used either to releaseadditional corrosion inhibitor from capsules 702, refill the corrosioninhibitor in the capsules 702, or both.

Turning to FIG. 7C, FIG. 7C depicts yet another variation of the devicesof FIGS. 7A and 7B. Device 700 c includes two or more capsules 702 (fourare shown) formed from any suitable non-degradable and/or corrosionresistant material. In one embodiment, capsules 702 are formed from anysuitable metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). In anotherembodiment, capsules 702 are formed from a suitable non-degradablepolymer composition (e.g., a polyolefin polymer). In one embodiment,capsules 702 are connected together and share at least one common wall.Each of capsules 702 contain at least one corrosion inhibitor 704 and atleast two degradable plugs or caps 720. At least one of the degradableplugs or caps 720 may further have thereover a degradable film 722 andmay be formed from any suitable material (e.g., a degradable polymer).

In one embodiment, each degradable plug or cap 720 degrades in thepresence of a different compound than that of degradable film 722. Forexample, degradable plug or cap 720 can be designed to degrade in water,while degradable film 722 can be designed to degrade in oil or viceversa. Furthermore, although not pictured, device 700 c may optionallyinclude at least one valve (e.g., a diaphragm or nipple valve) in one ormore of the capsules 702 similar to that explained with regard to theembodiment of FIG. 7B.

Device 700 c functions in a similar manner to that of device 700 b,except for the fact that only degradable plugs or caps 720 anddegradable films 722 degrade in the presence of one or more desiredcompounds. Additionally, if present, the one or more valves can be usedeither to release additional corrosion inhibitor from capsules 702,refill the corrosion inhibitor in the capsules 702, or both.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, devices 800 a, 800 b and 800 c are shown.Devices 800 a, 800 b and 800 c are similar in nature except for theirshapes and/or sizes. All three of the devices, 800 a, 800 b and 800 cinclude degradable polymer layers 802 which contain no corrosioninhibitor and polymer layers 804 which contain at least one corrosioninhibitor. Both polymer layers 802 and 804 can be formed from the sameor different suitable degradable polymer materials. In one embodiment,the layers 802 and 804 are formed from a polymer material that degradesin the presence of one or more of water, oil, hydrogen chloride,hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, NO_(x), chloride ions oroxygen.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, layers 802 and 804 are formed in analternating manner. In one embodiment, a layer 802 is the outer layer.In another embodiment, a layer 804 is the outer layer. Furthermore,devices 800 b and 800 c include therein one or more caps 806 or outerlayer 808 formed from a degradable polymer which contains no corrosioninhibitor. The thickness of such any caps 806 and/or outer layers 808which may be present is not critical. These one or more caps 806 orouter layers 808 function to delay the degradation of layers 804 andcan, in some circumstances, lead to an extended service life of devices800 b and 800 c. Accordingly, in practice the thickness of any caps 806and/or outer layers 808 which may be present is determined by the lengthof delay desired.

In one embodiment, each of the one or more layers 804 have equal volumesand therefore should take almost the same amount of time to degrade,thereby providing the same amount of service life per layer. In anotherembodiment, each of the one or more layers 804 have different volumes asdesired for the application. In this case, each layer will, in mostcircumstances, have different degradation times and service lives. Thisdiscussion also applies to layers 802.

The devices of FIGS. 8A to 8C are utilized by placing one or moredevices into the inside of a desired tank, container, pipeline,semi-closed system or closed system, where a corrosive element orenvironment exists. Upon exposure to such an element or environment, thedevices of FIGS. 8A to 8C begin to degrade.

Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 depicts a device 900 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention where a capsule 902 containing oneor more corrosion inhibitors 904 is connected via a delivery means 906to a semi-permeable or permeable bag or flexible container 908 which isconnected through any suitable means to capsule 902. Device 900 canfurther include a degradable membrane 910 which, until degraded,maintains the integrity of the enclosure of capsule 902 and ensures thatcorrosion inhibitor 904 remains in capsule 902 until required.

Depending upon the nature of delivery means 906, degradable membrane 910may or may not be required in order for the device to function asintended. For example, if delivery means 906 is a one way valve or anautomatically controlled. two-way valve, degradable membrane 910 may notbe required. In another embodiment, delivery means 906 can be a nippleor a diaphragm as discussed above.

Capsule 902 is formed from any suitable non-degradable material and/orcorrosion resistant material. In one embodiment, capsule 902 is formedfrom any suitable metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). Inanother embodiment, capsule 902 is formed from a suitable non-degradablepolymer composition (e.g., a polyolefin polymer). In another embodiment,device 900 can further include one or more valves, as discussed above,which permit device 900 to be reused by refilling the device withcorrosion inhibitor after it has become depleted.

The device of FIG. 9 is utilized by placing one or more devices into theinside of a desired tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system orclosed system, where a corrosive element or environment exists. Uponexposure to such an element or environment, the degradable membrane 910begins to degrade and eventually permits the release of corrosioninhibitor.

Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 depicts a device 1000 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention where a capsule 1002 containing oneor more corrosion inhibitors 1004 is placed within a cap or tank lid(e.g., a fuel tank cap) which also contains therein a delivery means1006 for delivering corrosion inhibitor 1004 into a tank or fuel system.Device 1000 further contains an engaging flange 1008 for engaging theopening in the fuel tank or fuel system. The delivery means 1006 can beany suitable delivery means as discussed above. For example, in oneembodiment, delivery means 1006 is a one way valve. The device of FIG.10 is utilized by using device 1000 as the cap or cover of a suitabletank, container, pipeline or semi-closed system.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, FIGS. 11A and 11B depict yet anotherembodiment according to the present invention. The device 1100 a of FIG.11A includes a capsule 1102 formed of any suitable material. In oneembodiment, capsule 1102 is formed from any suitable non-degradable orcorrosion resistant metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). Inanother embodiment, capsule 1102 is formed from a suitablenon-degradable polymer composition (e.g., a polyolefin polymer).Although depicted as rectangular, capsule device 1100 a can be made inany shape (e.g., spherical, square, pyramidal, etc.). The inside ofcapsule 1102 includes at least one suitable corrosion inhibitorimpregnated foam 1104 which contains one or more corrosion inhibitorswhich are selected based upon the corrosive element or compound to beneutralized. The capsule 1102 also includes a venting portion 1106 whichis permeable to the corrosion inhibitor impregnated in foam 1104 andallows the one or more corrosion inhibitors contained in foam 1104 toescape into the environment outside of capsule 1102.

This embodiment is not limited to the configuration depicted in FIG.11A, rather any shape of corrosion inhibitor impregnated with foam 1104can be placed into the interior of capsule 1102. Additionally, device1100 a can further contain a cover which acts to seal venting portion1106 and prevent escape of the corrosion inhibitor contained in foam1104 until desired. The cover can be made of any suitable material(e.g., a polymeric adhesive label, etc.).

In the embodiment of FIG. 11B, device 1100 b is similar to device 1100 aexcept for the addition of more than one venting portion 1106 (in thiscase three, although any number could be used). In this embodiment, oneor all of the venting portions 1106 can be covered with a cover toprevent the early release of the corrosion inhibitor contained in thefoam 1104.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, FIGS. 12A and 12B depict a device 1200according to another embodiment of the present invention. Althoughdevice 1200 is shown as a three dimensional disc-shaped object, device1200 can be designed so as to be any shape. Such shapes include, but arenot limited to, circular, spherical, rectangular, polygonal,cylindrical, cubic, triangular, pyramidal, disc-shaped, etc. Device 1200includes a shell 1202 formed from any suitable material and aVCI-containing foam portion 1204.

In one embodiment, shell 1202 can be formed from any suitable metal(e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless steel, tin, nickel, etc.) or anysuitable polymer composition. Such polymers include, but are not limitedto, polyolefin polymers, polyamides, polyimides, PET, ABS,polyurethanes, polyacrylates, and polymethacylates.

Exemplary polyolefins include, but are not limited to, polyethylenes,polypropylenes, polybutenes and polyisoprenes. In another embodiment,polymers such as ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinylchloride copolymers, polyvinyl chloride polymers, polyurethane polymers,polyester polymers, polyacrylic polymers (both crosslinked andnon-crosslinked) and copolymers of one or more of the above can beutilized in the present invention as a carrier and/or as the polymerarticle forming portion of the present invention. Such copolymers couldinclude two or more of the same type of monomer, for example, two ormore different olefins.

In yet another embodiment, the shell 1202 portion of device 1200 isformed from a biodegradable polymer. Any polymer which exhibitsbiodegradability can be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention. Examples of suitable biodegradable polymers include, but arenot limited to, biodegradable polyesters (e.g., linear polyε-carpolactone (PCL)), biodegradable polylatic acid polymers,biodegradable polyester amide polymers, biodegradable polyester urethanepolymers and biodegradable copolymers or any combination of two or moreof the above. Such copolymers could include two or more of the same typeof polymer, for example, two or more different biodegradable polyesters.

In yet another embodiment, shell 1202 can be formed from a suitablethermosetting polymer composition. Such compositions include, but arenot limited to, phenolic polymers, amino resins, polyesters, epoxidesand silicones.

The VCI-containing foam 1204 can be formed from any suitable polymermaterial to which a VCI composition, as discussed above, has been added.The polymer composition is then processed into any suitable foam usingtechniques known in the art and a suitable amount of foam is placed intoshell 1202 using any suitable technique (e.g., by hand or an automatedtechnique).

As is depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B, device 1200 can optionally includeone or more holes 1206 formed in the VCI-containing foam. The one ormore holes 1206 act to increase the surface area and reduce the mass ofdevice 1200. This in turn permits a more effective release of the VCIcontained in the VCI-containing foam 1204. Holes 1206 can be anysuitable size or shape. In one embodiment, the holes 1206 are circularin shape and have a diameter of about 0.01 to about 20 mm, or about 0.1mm to about 12 mm, or even about 1 mm to about 6 mm.

As an example, when device 1200 is disc shaped with a diameter of 48 mmand a height of 22 mm, the surface area of device 1200 can be increasedalmost 4 fold by placing therein circular holes 1206 which are 3 mm indiameter, or by 7 fold by placing therein circular holes 1206 which are1 mm in diameter.

In another embodiment, device 1200 can be formed in any shape orconfiguration which yields a high ratio of surface area to weight. Forexample, device 1200 could be designed in the form of a computer heatsink or a honey comb structure. By increasing the surface area of device1200 relative to its weight, a device according to the present inventionyields a corrosion inhibiting device which enables a higher emissionrate of VCI. When such a device is placed into a desired enclosure andthe enclosure is sealed, a device 1200 according to the presentinvention causes the enclosed space to become saturated with VCI in ashorter period of time, thereby providing quicker and more effectiveprotection of any article contained therein.

In yet another embodiment, device 1200 does not need to be formed usinga VCI-containing foam, instead other alternatives for this portion ofdevice 1200 could be utilized. For example, VCI-containing foam 1204could be replaced by a VCI-containing polymer composition (e.g., apolyolefin polymer).

It should be noted, that in any of the devices according to the presentinvention, the corrosion inhibitor component thereof can be replaced bya combination of corrosion inhibitor and an inert gas (e.g., helium) asneeded. Also, in general, any of the devices described above withreference to the Figures are intended to be placed inside of a tank,container, semi-closed system or closed system. Alternatively, suchdevices can be designed to fit into, if present, the lid, cover and/orhatch of any tank, container, semi-closed system or closed system. Anyof these devices can further be attached permanently or semi-permanentlyto the inside of a tank, container, semi-closed system or closed systemvia any suitable means (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts, welded, etc.).

Furthermore, where applicable, a device of the present invention whichutilizes therein one or more degradable polymer compositions can bedesigned so as to yield controlled degradation based upon theenvironment into which the device of the present invention is to beplaced. For example, a device according to the present invention couldbe designed so as to contain a polymer composition which has a limitedsolubility in a given environment. Such a design scenario would permitthe present invention to yield devices which degrade very slowly in agiven environment. Alternatively, select portions of a device accordingto the present invention may be designed so as to be degradable in agiven environment.

With regard to the non-degradable polymer portions of any one of thedevices according to present invention, it should be noted that justbecause these portions are not designed to degrade in a givenenvironment, it does not mean that such non-degradable polymer portionscannot be formed so as to be bio-degradable once the service life of thedevice has ended and the device has been committed to a suitable wastedisposal site. Thus, the bio-degradation rate of the non-degradableportions of any one of the devices of the present invention can beselected so as not to adversely impact the service life of a deviceaccording to the present invention.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the readingand understanding of this specification. In particular with regard tothe various functions performed by the above described components, theterms (including any reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of theinvention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments,such feature may be combined with one or more other features of theother embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given orparticular application.

1. A method for providing corrosion protection to a container subject tocorrosion, comprising: (A) providing a device comprising a capsule, asealable enclosure within the capsule, and a volatile corrosioninhibitor within the sealable enclosure, wherein the device furthercomprises a delivery means for selectively controlled release of thevolatile corrosion inhibitor; (B) placing the device within thecontainer subject to corrosion; and (C) permitting the delivery means torelease the volatile corrosion inhibitor into the container subject tocorrosion over an extended period of time.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the device is place within the container subject to corrosion byattachment to a lid, cap, cover or hatch of the container.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the delivery means comprises one or more of a one-waydiaphragm, a two-way diaphragm, a semipermeable membrane, apressure-sensitive valve, an electronic valve, a decomposable metal orpolymeric plug, or a decomposable polymer impregnated with the volatilecorrosion inhibitor.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the device furthercomprises a sensor for detecting concentration of one or more corrosivematerial in the container.
 5. A method for protecting a tank, container,pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system comprising the steps of:(A) placing a corrosion inhibiting device into the interior of a tank,container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system, wherein thecorrosion inhibiting device comprises: a capsule having at least onesealable enclosure therein; at least one corrosion inhibitor, whereinthe at least one corrosion inhibitor is contained in the sealableenclosure; and at least one means for delivering the at least onecorrosion inhibitor from the at least one sealable enclosure of thecapsule to an outside environment, wherein the capsule is formed from anon-degradable material; and (B) closing or sealing the tank, container,pipeline, semi-closed system or closed system.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the non-degradable material is formed from a non-degradable orcorrosion resistant metal.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the metalis selected from aluminum, stainless steel or steel.
 8. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the non-degradable material is formed from anon-degradable or corrosion resistant polymer composition.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the polymer composition is a polyolefin polymercomposition.
 10. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least onesealable enclosure further contains an inert gas.
 11. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the device further comprises one or more valves. 12.The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one means for delivering theat least one corrosion inhibitor from the at least one sealableenclosure of the capsule to an outside environment is selected from avalve, a degradable plug or cap, or a degradable layer which containstherein at least one corrosion inhibitor.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the valve is selected from a one way valve or a two way valve.14. The method of claim 12, wherein the degradable plug or cap is formedfrom a degradable polymer composition.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein the degradable plug or cap is formed from a metal selected fromzinc, aluminum or magnesium.
 16. The method of claim 5, wherein thedevice of claim 1 is contained within the cover or cap of a tank.
 17. Amethod for protecting a tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system orclosed system comprising the steps of: (A) placing a corrosioninhibiting device into the interior of a tank, container, pipeline,semi-closed system or closed system, wherein the corrosion inhibitingdevice comprises: a capsule having at least one sealable enclosuretherein, wherein the capsule is formed from a non-degradable material;at least one degradable layer which contains therein at least onecorrosion inhibitor which is formed within the at least one sealableenclosure of the capsule; and at least one degradable layer whichcontains no corrosion inhibitor which is formed within the at least onesealable enclosure of the capsule, wherein the at least one degradablelayer which contains at least one corrosion inhibitor and the at leastone degradable layer which contains no corrosion inhibitor are formed inalternating layers with the proviso that at least one degradable layerwhich contains no corrosion inhibitor is the outer most layer within theat least one sealable enclosure of the capsule; and (B) closing orsealing the tank, container, pipeline, semi-closed system or closedsystem.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-degradable materialis formed from a non-degradable or corrosion resistant metal.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the metal is selected from aluminum,stainless steel or steel.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein thenon-degradable material is formed from a non-degradable or corrosionresistant polymer composition.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein thepolymer composition is a polyolefin polymer composition.
 22. The methodof claim 5, wherein the corrosion inhibiting device is contained withinthe cover or cap of a tank.
 23. The method of claim 17, wherein thecorrosion inhibiting device is contained within the cover or cap of atank.